Plot Summary

The Believers

Zoë Heller
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The Believers

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2008

Book Brief

Zoë Heller

The Believers

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2008
Book Details
Pages

307

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • 2000s

Theme
Publication Year

2008

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Believers by Zoë Heller is a character study exploring the lives of each member of the Litvinoff family, headed by controversial lawyer Joel and his revolutionary wife Audrey. When Joel suffers a stroke, the family confronts secrets, betrayals, and ideological contradictions, navigating their complex relationships and individual struggles amidst personal and political turmoil.

Melancholic

Unnerving

Contemplative

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

3.5

6,226 ratings

47%

Loved it

36%

Mixed feelings

17%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Zoë Heller's The Believers is lauded for its sharp, provocative examination of family dynamics and ideological conflicts. Critics praise Heller's adept character development and incisive wit but note that the novel's dark tone and unsympathetic characters may alienate some readers. The narrative's complexity and moral ambiguity provide substantial food for thought, although the unrelenting bleakness could deter those seeking a more uplifting read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Believers?

A reader who enjoys The Believers by Zoë Heller is often drawn to character-driven narratives exploring family dynamics and ideological conflicts. Fans of Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections or Jeffrey Eugenides' Middlesex will likely appreciate Heller's incisive portrayal of a complex, secular Jewish family in New York.

3.5

6,226 ratings

47%

Loved it

36%

Mixed feelings

17%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

307

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • 2000s

Theme
Publication Year

2008

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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